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Research Subject Rights and Responsibilities

As a research subject at MultiCare, you have rights and responsibilities. The rights below are the rights of every person who is asked to be in a research study. An experimental subject has the right:

  1. To be told what the study is trying to find out.
  2. To be told what will happen to them and whether any of the procedures, drugs or devices is different from what would be used in standard practice.
  3. To be told about any risks, side effects or discomforts associated with the research and with what frequency they will occur.
  4. To be told if they can expect any benefit from participating and, if so, what the benefit might be.
  5. To be told about other choices and how those alternatives may be better or worse than being in the study.
  6. To be allowed to ask any questions concerning the study before agreeing and during the course of the study.
  7. To be told what sort of medical treatment is available if any complications arise during the study.
  8. To refuse to participate at all or to change their mind about participating even after the study has begun and to know that a decision not to participate will not affect the care they would otherwise receive.
  9. To receive a copy of their signed and dated consent form.
  10. To be free of pressure when considering whether they wish to agree to be in a study.

Anyone considering participating in a research study who has questions about their rights as a participant may contact the MultiCare Health System Investigational Review Board by calling 253-403-3877.

Additional Information

See below for information about being a research subject and questions to ask before you agree to participate in research: